China has launched an anti-espionage investigation against US-based Coca-Cola for allegedly conducting illegal mapping in many sensitive areas of the mainland, a move that may escalate a spying row between Beijing and Washington.

The case is being handled jointly by China’s National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geo-information and the Ministry of State Security. The involvement of the top intelligence authority underscores the seriousness of the case, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

“We understand that espionage is a serious charge against a world famous company,” said an official from the administration.

“We are still in the process of gathering information”, the report said.